Lumpkin County Falls to Pickens County 2-1 to Take the Series

TeamFYNSports

The Lumpkin County Indians hosted regional champions, the Pickens County Dragons, for the three-game series’ final game. To recap, the Indians won the first game 4-0 and the Dragons won game two 2-0, led by pitcher James Tilley who threw a no-hitter to secure the 7AAA region title for the Dragons.

Alejandro Narvaez took the bump to start the game for the Indians and made quick work of the Dragon’s lineup, allowing one walk but getting three outs on balls in play. Righty AJ Rice was on the mound for Pickens and immediately was met with trouble as leadoff hitter Narvaez slapped a double down the right-field line. Rice would go on to get the next three Indians in order, picking up two strikeouts to end the frame.

Dawson Holland led off the top of the second for Pickens and hit a single to center field. The next batter, Cam Jenkins reached on an E1, allowing Holland to move to third and Jenkins to second. James Tilley got the first run of the game in with an RBI single to center to make the score 1-0. Evan Giddens extended the lead in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly to make the score 2-0. Narvaez would allow one more hit in the inning before getting out of the frame with no further damage. The Indians were in business in the second inning, they had the bases loaded thanks to an E4, walk, and a hit-by-pitch with Dakota Bennet at the dish. Bennet hit a line drive to the infield’s right side, which hit baserunner Mason Hester for the first out. Rice would go on to strike out the next two Indians, ending the threat and the inning.

The Pickens offense was in another great position to score in the top of the third, they had the bases loaded with one out thanks to a single, walk, and single with James Tilley at the plate. Narvaez got Tilley to pop out to right field for the second out and then Evan Giddens would ground out to second to end the frame. Rice continued to look good in the bottom of the third, getting the first two Indians out on balls in play. Adian Rogers put down a squeeze bunt to get on base for Hayden Gilbert in the next at-bat. However, Rogers would be caught trying to steal second on a terrific throw by catcher Jenkins to end the third.

Narvaez had a good inning in the top of the fourth, getting the first two outs on balls in play. Trace Ledbetter got the offense moving again with a two-out single to center field. Narvaez got the next batter, Trey Payne to line out to center to end the frame. Gilbert led off the bottom of the fourth with a double to left field. Gilbert would be brought home one batter later on an RBI double to make the score 2-1, Pickens. Rice would settle in and strike out the next two Indians to send the game into the fifth inning.

Narvaez came on for his fifth inning of work and got his first 1-2-3 inning of the game, picking up his first strikeout of the day. Narvaez led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to center. However, Narvaez would be doubled up on a liner hit by Cooper Scott to third baseman Giddens who fired the ball back to first for the double play. Rice would get out the inning, sending Lumpkin’s bats down in order.

Narvaez came back to the bump for the sixth inning, sending the Dragons down in order and recording his second strikeout of the game. Rice would match Narvaez in the bottom of the frame, striking out the side, putting his K total at 10 for the game.

The Indians went to their bullpen for the seventh inning, relying on Cooper Scott to keep the Dragons at bay. Scott took care of the Dragons in order on balls in play to send the game to the bottom of the seventh, down 2-1. The Dragons went with their closer in the bottom of the seventh, sidearmer JP Nunn. Hester led off the inning and hit the ball straight back to the pitcher who made a great catch for the first out. Aidyn Flannagan would pinch-hit for Gilbert but would strike out for the second out. Nunn would go on to strikeout Tyler Boggs for the final out of the game, securing the 2-1 victory for Pickens County.

The Pickens County Dragons have secured the 7AAA region and took two out of three from Lumpkin County. Lumpkin is now playing for second place in the region, trailing Wesleyan in the standings. The second-place spot will be decided next week when Lumpkin and Wesleyan meet for the final three regular-season games of the year. The two teams play a doubleheader on Tuesday, first pitch for game one is set for 4:30 PM.

 

Region 7AAA Standings

TEAM                 OVR            RGN

Pickens              24-4             16-2

Wesleyan           14-8              11-4

Lumpkin            19-7              10-5

Dawson              13-13             8-7

White                 11-14              6-9

West Hall          7-18               3-12

Gilmer               6-19               0-15

 

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Back to Top